ELY – It’s been a while since Ely has had a place for skate boarders and motocross bicyclists to play, but the Ely Wheel Park Task Force is working to bring one back.

Years ago, the skate board and BMX park was located inside the white boards of the Lincoln Skating Rink during the summertime. When the rink was relocated to the Ely Recreation Center due to the construction of the Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital assisted living facility, the summer park didn’t follow, but the passion for skate boarding and motocross biking (BMX) continued, eventually leading to the creation of the Ely Wheel Park Task Force a year ago.

“I was asking the students in general what they were interested in, and they mentioned a skate park,” said Focus Program instructor Matt Graves.

Graves went on to poll Ely Memorial High School students to see how many kids might actually utilize the park if it came back. He said about 30 percent said they’d use it to some degree, and 70 percent of those said they were interested in BMX.

With that, Graves gathered a handful of the high school students to create the Ely Wheel Park Task Force to work towards building a new skate and bike park.

Since then, students have raised about $39,000. $4,000 was raised through fundraisers and the help of local businesses. Ely City Council also joined in, allocating $10,000 toward the park.

“It’s potentially a good economic thing for the college and tourism,” said Bill Tefft, a Parks and Recreation Board member.

The rest of the money has come from various grants. Graves said several more grants are in the works, as the park could cost upwards of $100,000 depending on the design.

So far, the group has their eyes set on building the park in the clearing adjacent to the Recreation Center. And last Monday, they gathered for a public meeting to look through different park sketches, varying from the typical rectangular layouts to circular flow tracks, each with a variety of grind rails, half and quarter pipes, kickers, and boxes for skaters and bikers to enjoy.

But before they can even think about picking out a blueprint or location, they need to gain more publicity. Fewer than ten people showed up to the Monday meeting.

The group said they’re planning on tabling at Vermilion Community College and getting more high school students involved in order to make it work.

To join their efforts, call City Hall and ask to get in touch with Graves.